TunnelTalk reporting

A programme with a different and innovative format awaits delegates at the WTC2013 World Tunnel Congress when they convene in Geneva, Switzerland from Monday to Friday, 3 to 7 June. Compiled by the organising committee of the Swiss Tunnelling Society, as host of the event, there will be three sessions that explore in particular the Swiss tunnelling experience. These include the planning, design, construction, fit-out and operation of two long baseline railway tunnels through the Alps under the Lötschberg and St Gotthard passes. Other sessions that will explore specific topics of interest, include
• the planning, design and delivery of more resilient and sustainable cities, convened by the ITA Committee on Underground Space (ITACUS);
• safety issues associated with complex underground multipurpose facilities, organised by COSUF, the ITA Committee on Operational Safety of Underground Facilities;
• an innovation forum held by ITA-TECH, the Association's Committee on Technical Developments. The Committee's group on lining and waterproofing will also hold a demonstration seminar at the Hagerbach Test Gallery in Sargans on Friday 31 May; and
• ITA-CET, the ITA Committee on Education and Training, will conduct its usual two-day training course, a fixture in the WTC programmes that attracts a high number of participants.

Technical programme for the week-long WTC2013 event

The technical tours offer much of interest for visiting delegates, the highlight being a two-day visit to the Gotthard baseline railway tunnel. Now in its finishing and fitting-out phases, the opportunity of being in the underground spaces of this world class project will be a marvel to experience first-hand. There are also day visits organised to projects closer to Geneva, to the Nant de Drance hydro scheme; the Sierre Tunnel on the international Paris-Geneva-Milan railway line; the A16 Transjurane highway; and a tour of two major construction sites of Geneva's new underground mass transit system, CEVA.

At the near sold-out exhibition, more than 100 exhibitors will be represented at stands and booths on the four floors of the venue. Allocation of stands and booths is yet to be finalised. In the meantime TunnelTalk publishes the layout of the exhibition floors (Figs 1-4) and the full list of confirmed exhibitors. Once allocated, we will publish our Exhibition Preview and company stand locator to help delegates navigate the exhibition and connect with companies of particular interest.

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